NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Even though Patrick Ewing said it was
not a farewell, Doc Rivers gave him plenty of opportunities to
say good-bye.

Making a rare start in perhaps his final game in Madison Square
Garden, Ewing received ovations before and after the game and
scored six points in between as the Orlando Magic clinched a
playoff berth with their fourth straight victory, a 108-97
triumph over the New York Knicks.

With the fans calling his name and time winding down, Ewing
tried one of his patented fadeaway jumpers from the left
baseline but missed, a somewhat ironic finish as he left the
fans wanting just a little bit more.

"The fans have been terrific," said Ewing, the club's all-time
leader in nearly every category, who still is searching for an
elusive first championship. "They showed that they appreciated
what I did throughout my 15-year career here."

Speculation regarding Ewing's future began Monday night, when
Rivers said he thought the future Hall of Famer would retire
after the season. He repeated his beliefs before Tuesday's game.

"I could be completely wrong. I'm not basing it on any type of
fact," said Rivers, a teammate of Ewing's in New York from
1992-95. "But my gut tells me that this could be his last game
here in the Garden.

"From this point on, when he comes to New York, act like it's
the last time, because it could be."

In his 17th season, Ewing, 39, has one year left on his
contract. He would not say whether or not he would be back next
season.

"It's too early to say," Ewing said after the game. "I'm not
going to make that decision until the season is over."

That won't be for some time for the Magic (43-34), who are
headed to the playoffs for the third time in the last four
years. They swept the four-game season series, leaving Knicks
coach Don Chaney thoroughly disgusted.

"Any questions?" Chaney asked. When none immediately came, he
walked out of his postgame news conference.

Troy Hudson scored 29 points and Horace Grant added a
season-high 22 and 10 rebounds for Orlando, which shot 56
percent (42-of-75) from the field and opened a two-game lead on
Charlotte in the race for fourth place in the Eastern
Conference and home-court advantage in the first round of the
playoffs.

The Magic made 12-of-26 3-pointers, including seven by Hudson.

"That's what I do," said Hudson, who scored 15 points in the
second quarter, when the Magic took the lead for good. "I come
off the bench and they expect me to be a scorer."

Ewing's days as a scorer are over. He came in averaging career
lows of 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and his biggest impact on
the Magic may be as a good luck charm. Orlando has won all four
games he has started.

"I appreciated what he did by starting me," said Ewing, who
added five rebounds in 19 minutes.

"I think it was the right thing to do," Rivers said.

Upon receiving a 30-second ovation when introduced, Ewing waved
to the half-empty Garden crowd. He made his first two shots and
sat down midway through the period, which ended with Orlando
holding a 27-24 lead.

Hudson had three 3-pointers and Jaren Jackson two in the second
period. The Magic extended their lead to 56-49 at halftime
despite playing the final seven minutes without All-Star Tracy
McGrady, who was taking a nap in the trainer's room before the
game and scored just three points in the first half.

"That's a ritual for me," McGrady said. "My scoring wasn't
needed in the first half."

Ewing played nearly all of the third quarter, adding two free
throws. Grant scored six points and McGrady four in a 12-0 burst
that widened the lead to 72-53 with 7:12 left. Now wide awake,
McGrady scored 14 of his 17 points in the period.

Two more 3-pointers by Hudson gave the Magic their largest lead
at 96-73 with 10:26 to play. The Knicks got no closer than nine
points thereafter, and with the crowd chanting, "Pa-trick
Ew-ing!," Ewing reluctantly returned with 54 seconds to go.

"I told (assistant coach) Paul Pressey with about three minutes
left, `Tell Patrick he's going in,'" Rivers said. "Paul said
something, and I said he was gonna go in, no matter what."

"I didn't want to go back in," Ewing said.

Pat Garrity scored 13 points for the Magic, who improved to 18-0
when shooting better than 50 percent.

Allan Houston scored 26 points and Kurt Thomas added 23 for the
Knicks, who have lost eight of their last 11 games and were
reduced to mere spectators in their own arena.

"Patrick is a guy who has brought so many great memories to this
city and these fans, but at the same time, we're trying to play
a game," Houston said. "It is awkward when they are cheering
for him."